According to Sport, Barcelona defender Kounde is currently in an unfamiliar situation. After being a key player for both Barcelona and the French national team for several consecutive seasons, his playing time has significantly decreased in recent weeks, a trend that continued during this international break.

Kounde did not play any minutes in France's draw against Italy at the Stade de France. Zidane continued to opt for Kalulu at right-back, the same arrangement as against Belgium, and Kounde remained on the bench for the entire match. Even when Upamecano was sent off late in the game, leaving France with 10 men, Kounde still did not come on as a substitute.

Considering his recent situation with both club and country, Kounde's playing time has sharply declined. He previously missed Barcelona's matches against Levante, Racing Santander, and Sevilla. At the national team level, he started and played the full 90 minutes against Turkey, but then did not feature against Belgium or Italy.

This means that in his last six club and national team matches, Kounde has only played a total of 90 minutes out of a theoretical total of 540 minutes.

At Barcelona, competition for the right-back position has intensified since last season. Flick has recently found other options besides Kounde: Eric Garcia played at right-back against Levante and Sevilla, while Cancelo occupied the position against Racing Santander.

Cancelo's arrival and Eric Garcia's versatility have created increased competition for Kounde. Just a few months ago, his starting position was almost undisputed, but now his place in the pecking order at right-back has been significantly affected.

However, for Barcelona, Kounde's limited recent playing time also means his physical exertion is relatively low. During this international break, he has only played 90 minutes for France, so he may return to the club in better physical condition.

France has one more match this international break against Belgium at the Stade de France on October 5, so it remains to be seen if Kounde will get an opportunity.

His main competitor, Eric Garcia, also did not expend much energy with the national team. Due to discomfort in his left knee, Eric Garcia left the Spanish national team early without playing and has since been undergoing targeted recovery training. He is now fully recovered and available to play, but Flick may still choose to use him cautiously.

In contrast, Cancelo has seen more playing time with the Portuguese national team during this international break, bearing a significantly higher physical load than Kounde and Eric Garcia. This difference in fitness levels could be a factor Flick considers when selecting the lineup for the next match.

After the international break, Barcelona will face Getafe in La Liga. According to Sport's analysis, due to Cancelo's heavy national team workload, Kounde and Eric Garcia may become the primary contenders for the right-back position at that time.

AF's PC site is now live! Browse full news, comments, match details and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com